This evening, Leeds United travel to Anfield to face Liverpool in an important Premier League clash.
Marcelo Bielsa’s men are not completely safe from being pulled into a relegation battle, while the Reds are still hunting down Manchester City, who currently top the league table.
With plenty to play for, what could come to define the match is the battle on the flank between Daniel James and Sadio Mane.
While it’s probably fair to say the two most important wingers for each team are Raphinha and Mohamed Salah – who are their respective sides’ top league goalscorers this season – the game could be decided on smaller margins.
With that in mind, let’s compare two of the other attacking threats.
Dan James
Since making his move to Leeds from Manchester United for a reported fee of £25m in the summer, James has started to find a bit of form for his new club.
The Welsh winger failed to make a direct goal contribution in any of his first six league outings under Bielsa, but in the 14 Premier League matches since, he has scored four times and made three assists – showing a positive upward trajectory.
Indeed, he registered that most recent assist in last weekend’s 4-2 loss against the Red Devils after sliding in a good, low cross for Raphinha. Mane only has one assist this season, showing that – of late – the Leeds man arguably offers more for his teammates.
Sadio Mane
While Mane may not have provided as much when it comes to setting up the players around him recently, he does have a much higher goal threat. The Senegalese winger has nine league goals to his name this term and a further two in the Champions League.
On top of that (according to WhoScored), he takes more shots per game, wins more aerial duels, has a better average match rating and a more accurate passing percentage than the Leeds man.
It should also not be forgotten that Mane will likely be full of confidence having recently scored the vital penalty as Senegal won the Africa Cup of Nations for the first time in their history earlier this month.
Who will win tonight?
Liverpool
Leeds
TIF verdict
If James can get forward with good frequency, the 24-year-old may get some joy against Trent Alexander-Arnold at right-back, who was recently labelled a defensive ‘weakness’ by Robbie Fowler.
Indeed, his ability to be a goal threat but also provide chances for his teammates could cause a lot of damage to Liverpool, especially when using his pace on the break.
However, it’s hard to look past the superior quality of Mane. The Senegal star fares better in almost every standard attacking statistic and has an impressive collection of trophies to back this up.
In the end, the Reds’ winger should have enough quality to help his team come out on top.
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